Why Governors Should Not Disrespect Jonathan —Yuguda

 

Apparently reacting to the outcome of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) poll, Bauchi State governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, yesterday, insisted that all governors should show maximum respect and support to President Goodluck Jonathan, as the leader of the nation, irrespective of their parties or leaning.
Yuguda, who spoke  to Sunday Vanguard, noted that events of recent past had shown that some of his colleagues had not shown respect, loyalty and support to enable the President steer the ship of the nation effectively. “Mr. President does not need those who insult him at will or treat his exalted office with disdain,” the governor pointed out but did not mention any name.

 

“I believe strongly that what the President of a large and multi-faceted country like Nigeria needs at a critical point like this, is for all governors, ministers and those saddled with public trust to work hand in hand with him in order to find answers to the country’s myriads of challenges.

 

“It is clear to me that what Jonathan is passing through today did not start with him and he has a good conscience to tackle the rot in the system but requires the utmost support and cooperation of all of us who were elected to work with him, in order to achieve the overall success expected of him by Nigerians,” Yuguda said.

 

The governor also said it was wrong for some persons to link Jonathan with the NGF election, insisting that the President, who was in far away Addis Ababa for the AU Summit, was not even aware that the NSGF had withdrawn their support from himself and Governor Shema and thrown their weight behind Jang.

 

Asked if his withdrawal from the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) was dictated by the loss of the seat by the consensus candidate chosen by the NSGF, Yuguda made it clear that there was no basis for the election, since 19 governors had already decided on Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State.

 

The governor said he was still expecting the Chairman of the NSGF, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, who presided over the meeting that produced Jang as a consensus candidate, to speak out on what was agreed or lose his confidence and support for the forum.

 

In spite of his decision to pull out of the NSGF, Yuguda said he was not angry with the Niger governor but merely expected him to speak out to save the integrity of the group.

He said, “I am not angry with Babangida Aliyu in any way but what I want him to do, is to speak to the nation on our decision before the NGF election on May 24. Once he does that, I am okay.”